R. B. Sudagar Singh, K. Vengadakrishnan, Kawin Gunasekaran, J. Damodharan
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: HIV infection is characterized by an acquired, irreversible, profound immunosuppression that predisposes patients to multiple opportunistic infections, malignancies, and progressive dysfunction of multiple organ systems. Studies have suggested that HIV may exhibit a cardiac tropism and cardiac disease associated with HIV may be multifactorial, and can be caused by infectious or neoplastic complications or their treatments or by HIV infection of the myocardium itself. Pericardial effusion and myocarditis are among the most commonly reported abnormalities though cardiomyopathy, endocarditis and coronary vasculopathy have also been reported. The present study was done to evaluate the relative frequency of cardiac manifestations in patients with HIV. METHODS: The study included 100 HIV positive patients who were selected from the outpatient department and inpatient of the Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Hospital from the year 2011 to 2013. All routine lab parametes, CD4 count, Chest X ray, ECG and 2D echo was done for all patients. They were divided into two groups based on Framingham 10 year cardiovascular risk score and CD4 count. RESULTS: 62 patients were in low risk category, 30 were in moderate risk category and 8 were in high risk category for Framingham 10 year absolute risk for coronary heart disease. Twelve (12%) patients had ECG abnormalities (8 in low risk category, 4 in moderate risk category). Echocardiographic abnormalities were seen in 24 patients, (13 in low risk category, 6 in moderate risk category and 5 were in high risk category). Significant correlation was found between CD4 count, duration of HIV infection, cardiac symptoms, Anti-Retroviral Therapy and cardiac abnormalities. KEYWORDS: H
